I feel as though I’ve been away from this blog for too long–no excuses for it, except that I try to write in the mornings and will probably be writing most blogs in the afternoon. I miss having daily “contact” with all of you. I had a very restful weekend, all things considered, and I guess that’s what I needed. Hope you had a nice one, too.

The rains came, and washed away the snow. It’s quite gloomy out today, but I choose to call it “cozy” instead of “depressing”, so there you go. I’m here at my writing spot, with my happy light on, ready to go.

I bet you’re wondering where that left-field ghost question came from. Well, I’m one of those people who loves a good ghost story but doesn’t want to meet the main character. Call me a coward. My daughter Wendy and niece/assistant Jen are, however, intrepid ghost hunters–and I do mean intrepid. They just spent almost a week at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado–where Stephen King set his unforgetable (believe me, I’ve tried) “The Shining.” (Is there anybody who can look more scary-maniacal than Jack Nicholson???) Our girls (Jen is Cousin Mary Ann’s daughter) will be home later today, full of stories–I guess it was quite an experience. Me? I prefer UNhaunted hotels, with room service, nice gift shops, and WiFi. Although there was that unfortunate incident in New York last June, when my iPhone committed phone suicide by jumping down an elevator shaft.

I digress.

We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving around here. One of the perks of having adult children is, for me, cooking fewer holiday meals. This year, Wendy and Jeremy are doing Thanksgiving AND Christmas. What luxury! I do plan to set up a tree or two, however, because I absolutely LOVE Christmas.

I hope to know more about the TV movie or series next week. Watch this space.

I love all your comments–including the ones pointing out mistakes. Always something new to learn!

28 comments to “The Case of the Neglectful Blogger”

Oh, I love rainy days – sooo cozy!! Great expections for a McKettrick movie or TV series :-). I, too, love ghost stories & would never be afraid to visit a ‘haunted’ house, because God is
author of it all Visiting my brother in NC this Thanksgiving, & we’ve been invited to a coworker’s house for dinner in Raleigh, no hassles here. Still don’t know what errors about rodeos were committed?? No matter. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, & remember, give thanks in ALL things 
Blessings,
SherryNan

I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family. I too love Christmas; all the baking and decorating…sharing with family and friends. Our ladies at church made 30 apple pies for our annual bazaar this past weekend and froze them to be baked next week.
I think Sam Elliott would be a great choice for an “elder” McKettrick when the movie/series gets made. Can’t wait to hear further details….I’m so excited!

Can’t wait to hear about the McKettrick series…hope it’s on a network I get w/DirecTV!

Wishing you, Linda, yours, and everyone here a very Happy Thanksgiving…don’t forget to say a little Blessing for those less fortunate than we are, especially those a few hours from me who are struggling with many aspects of loss due to Hurricane Sandy, then the nor’easter.

Linda, I am sending you and everyone a Happy Thanksgiving
Gloria has very kindly been filling me in on what type of decorations are used and what you enjoy to eat, as I live across the pond. All I know is that on thanksgiving a game of American football is shown, which my husband looks forward to So I hope you all have a good day!

Linda, here wishing you & your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your time with them. We are going to Ft Worth Texas to spend with my son & his family. First year I am not cooking except for pies & a salad. This is first time they are cooking the dinner & I know it will be good.
I agree Sam Elliott would be good for the elder McKettrick. I can’t wait for the movie or series either.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone & be safe.

I would like to suggest a contest of sorts where the prize would be to win a weekend visit & dinner with you :-). I’m sure many of your devoted fans would just LOVE that!! I’ve noticed some other authors have offered this. Would you be open to such? I, for one, would be thrilled to meet you, your horses & all your animals, see your art work, etc. :-)!!
Thanks,
SherryNan

Sam Elliot certainly has the look & voice for Angus, however he’s not a large fella like I envisioned Angus to be. John, of High Chapperel fame, would be perfect, however he’s passed :-/. Will you have any input into who will be playing the parts? Getting excited!!
SherryNan

How about Brian Dennehy as Angus? YUM!!!!! (Hey, I’m old, so I like ’em old!) I adore Sam Elliott, I think he’d make a great older version of Kade or Rafe. Tom Selleck makes a great mature cowboy, too.
Owen Wilson would make a great Jeb McKettrick. I recall that Jeb was blond. I’ve lost track of the “hot” young actors, so I’m not sure who would be good as Rafe (my favorite) and Kade.
I LOVE the idea of making a contest out of this!

And on another subject: thank you for saying this weather is “cozy” instead of the other possibilities! When I read that in today’s blog, my mood immediately improved. THANK YOU, LINDA!

Oh, Hilda! I am so with you on keeping up with these young actors. But what difference does it make when I never think of any of the McKettrick men as younger that 35 or 40. Being younger than that wouldn’t give them the maturity to pull off the charactors.

Linda’s stories either state or imply that the male characters are in the above age group, but the images on the book covers appear to be of young men barely out of high school! These characters require actors with mature expressions and the self-assured body language that younger men just don’t have.

I see John Stamos (sp) as Jeb. Would have to do some research for the others.

Linda, I second the remark about this being a cozy day! I’m a native. I know what to do with rainy days. And it looks like we’ll have several before we see the sun again.

Hi, Juanita. I agree, I think of the McKettricks and Creeds and O’Ballivans as in their 30s. I think back in the day, they matured a lot earlier, life was not as cushy as it is today. So 30-something actors would be more like we imagine them, and possibly the way that Linda created them. Linda? Do you agree? No young, silly whippersnappers for us!

Also, someone expressed a hope that the series be shown on a readily accessible channel. The Hallmark channel shows many movies taken from best selling books but they are so restrictive in what they can/will show. Not sure they would do justice to Linda’s stories. And DVD’s would HAVE to available!!!! I’d buy every one!!

Can’t wait to hear more about the movie and series!!! Highly excited!!! Tomorrow is my birthday and its the BIG 30!!!! I’m gonna go to work and take my children out to eat for supper! Should i make this MY choice or let them??? Any of you with kids know they will choose and we will end up at Chuck E Cheese or Mcdonalds!!! LOL Gotta love them!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and i cherish reading your blog Linda and reading everyone’s comments!!! I am thankful for all of u!!!

I vote for aMcDonalds restaurant that has a play area. It will keep the kids busy and you might get 5 minutes of peace and quiet – relatively speaking. And save a ton of $$$$. Happy 30th! You’re going to love being in your 30s. I promise.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I am looking forward to hearing whether it it will be a movie or series. Either way I will be happy. The Mckettrick story one was fun, sad and very enjoyable.

The best book I read of yours was the one where the main character (after a divorce) goes back to her late aunt’s home in some small town to live. She then encounters a little girl on the other side of a door. I cannot remember the name of this book! The young girl has a doctor for her dad. The dad and daughter live in the 19th century and the lady probably lives in the 20th century. Anyway the 2 main characters fall in love and marry. They live in the 19th century, becausen the lady is happier there. Was the doctor a ghost????? I couldn’t put the book down!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Don’t be afraid of spirits. When I was old enough to know what was happening at our house I spent a good deal of my teenage years getting dressed and undressed in the closet because I was afraid the ghosts were watching. My Mother was the one to help me move past my fears.

I do believe that there are a few really mean spirited ghosts out there probably because they were so mean spirited in life but I think we have protection against them with our own attitudes and beliefs. I don’t believe they are here 24/7 though. I think maybe its a curtain of sorts (for lack of a better description) that allows them to visit this world once in awhile. Interaction is their way of trying to communicate with us and let us know what they are experiencing. I know this sounds over simplistic but I am not sure how to put into words what I am thinking.

I have no plans yet for the holidays here (I can’t believe how fast the days are coming and going. Wasn’t it just Halloween?) I am looking forward to Christmas though because the boys are coming home for a week long visit. Our old christmas tree bit the dust so I have been looking at christmas trees when I pass by them at the store (Yep they were unpacking them at walmart Saturday). I almost bought one last christmas but money was tight so it got put off. I want to go big this time with a pre-lighted 7 footer. I have a grand-daughter now so I need to step it up in the decorating dept. like I did when the boys were small. Wow!! I still cant believe we are at the tail end of November.

Wishing you and all my American friends a Very Happy Thanksgiving.
I don’t do the holiday meals anymore. Now that my parents are gone. I usually get invited to one of my brother’s homes for holiday dinners.

I am reading a Dorothea Benton Frank book right now, Porch Lights…love her books as well…I lived in Charleston, SC for a few years and my kids were born there so I love reading her Low Country books! I can’t wait to get it done so I can start your Christmas book…I bought it a week ago…can’t wait to get it started after Thanksgiving. Blessings to your and your family for Thanksgiving.